After its worst-ever show in 140 years, NE monsoon withdraws

Cuddalore, Pudukottai and Puducherry worst hit with deficit of over 80%

The failed monsoon has raised the spectre of water scarcity in the city. FILE PHOTO

The northeast monsoon has withdrawn from Tamil Nadu, leaving the State with a 41 per cent deficit of its annual rainfall.

This is the lowest annual rainfall the State has recorded in 140 years, according to officials of the Meteorological Department.

Last year, Tamil Nadu has received only 543 mm of rainfall against its annual average of 920 mm. This is the lowest recorded after 1846 when the State recorded a rainfall of 534 mm, a shortfall of 42 per cent.

Tamil Nadu received only 166.2 mm of rainfall during this northeast monsoon against its seasonal average of 437 mm, said Mr.Balachandran.

November, which is considered to be the wettest month, brought only 20 per cent rainfall of its usual share, he said.

Pointing out that all the districts have recorded only deficit rainfall last monsoon, he said that Cuddalore, Puducherry and Namakkal districts are among the worst-hit with a rainfall deficit of over 80 per cent.

Nearly 11 districts, including Nagapattinam and Erode, have had a poor monsoon with deficit crossing 70 per cent. Chennai recorded 342 mm of rainfall, which is 56 per cent short of its seasonal average.

Trough of low pressure

Though a trough of low pressure persists near South Andaman Sea, the department is monitoring its impact over the State. “The weather system may intensify into a depression in two days. However, it may move away from Tamil Nadu coast,” said S. Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai. Tamil Nadu may largely experience a dry weather till the weekend.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that Chennai will experience a partly cloudy sky and a maximum temperature of 30 degree Celsius till Friday.